Five Holy Family DECA Students Advance to International Competition

From March 2-4 in Minneapolis, these students competed against more than 6,000 Minnesota DECA members in events focused on entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, and marketing. Their hard work and preparation paid off, with five students earning recognition at State and advancing to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando this April.

A Championship Mindset: Winning the DECA Cup

The District 4 DECA Cup is awarded in a highly competitive region that includes large public schools such as Maple Grove, Elk River, Coon Rapids, Anoka, and Rogers. Schools earn points based on student performances in individual and team events, with top scores in role-play scenarios, written exams, and business strategy challenges. Despite being an inexperienced program, Holy Family students outperformed its competition to claim the championship title.

“This has been an incredible first year for Holy Family DECA,” said Robb Richter, Holy Family DECA advisor and business program instructor. “I am incredibly proud of every student who took on the challenge of competing. They stepped up, pushed themselves outside their comfort zones, and pioneered this new opportunity for Holy Family.”

The Road to Success: Hours of Preparation

Holy Family’s success at State wasn’t just the result of talent—it was built on months of dedication and preparation. Since September, students committed to twice-monthly training sessions during One Lunch, attended three intensive two-hour mentor events on non-school days, and maintained 100% meeting attendance throughout the season. Beyond these structured sessions, students invested additional time outside school hours refining presentations, studying industry-specific material, and perfecting their role-play performances.

Shining at State: Top Performers Advance to ICDC

The State Career Development Conference tested students’ ability to apply business concepts to real-world challenges, with 70 events spanning key industries. Five Holy Family students stood out with exceptional performances, earning recognition and the opportunity to compete at the International Career Development Conference.

John Mackey and Zack Sevcik placed fourth in the Hospitlity Team Decision Making event. “Competing at State was an intense but awesome experience.” Sevcik added, “It was a huge test of everything we’ve learned. Seeing how much we’ve grown since Districts has been really rewarding.” Sevcik also earned recognition for achieving one of the highest exam scores at State, placing in the top 25 on the challenging, 100-question Hospitality Management Exam.

Hannah Henderson’s strong performance in the Principles of Business and Administration event affirmed her passion for business. “The competition was tough, but so much fun,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to succeed, and I’m excited to compete against the best at ICDC.”

In the Sports and Entertainment Marketing category, Kiera Setzepfandt and Lily Wallace, under the mentorship of Minnesota Wild Tim Triplett, also earned spots at ICDC, solidifying Holy Family’s presence among the top business students in the state.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Holy Family DECA

As the team prepares for ICDC in Orlando, their journey continues to gain momentum. Reflecting on their success, Richter sees this as just the beginning. “Winning the DECA Cup at Districts was a huge moment, but seeing 53 students thrive at State was even more rewarding. And now, sending five competitors to Internationals—what an exciting milestone for this program. While I’ve had the privilege of working with these students through DECA and our business courses, their success is also a testament to the incredible support and education they receive from their teachers and mentors.”

Holy Family DECA has set a high bar for the future with a championship title, five international qualifiers, and a program built on commitment and excellence. Their first year has been extraordinary, and they’re just getting started.